Wahine open No. 7 in AVCA poll

The Hawaii women's volleyball team opens the preseason ranked at the same spot it did at the end of 2008: No. 7.

The Rainbow Wahine, also picked seventh by Volleyball magazine, received 1,036 points. Ranked No. 1 was defending national champion Penn State, with 52 of the 60 first-place votes.

Following the Nittany Lions were Texas (six votes), Nebraska, Washington (two votes), Stanford and Cal. Rounding out the Top 10 were Florida, UCLA and Illinois.

Hawaii plays six teams in the Top 25 prior to the start of Western Athletic Conference play: Texas (2), Stanford (5), Cal (6), UCLA (9), Saint Louis (20 and Santa Clara (25).

New Mexico State, which shared the WAC regular-season title with Hawaii last season, had 28 points. UH opens Aug. 28 against Western Michigan, which received 37 points.

BYUH picked to win soccer

PacWest coaches and sports information directors predict Brigham Young-Hawaii will win the conference soccer championship.

After BYUH, the predicted order is Dixie State, Hawaii-Hilo, Notre Dame de Namur, Grand Canyon, Hawaii Pacific, Dominican, Academy of Art and Chaminade.

Midfielder Mikala Wilkes of Dixie State is the preseason player of the year. She is joined on the preseason all-conference team by forwards Sarah Biser (NDNU), Bridget Folan (Dominican), Emily Mearns (BYUH) and Wendy Stratford (Dixie); midfielders Natasha Aiono (BYUH), Jamie Hirai (HPU) and Sally Olsson (NDNU); and goalkeeper Becky Ploeger (BYUH).

Carll to defend Kapalua title

Defending champion Kevin Carll is set to defend his Kapalua Hall of Fame Championship golf crown Friday through Sunday at the Maui resort's Plantation Course.

Carll headlines the field of 34 local pros in the Aloha Section PGA's second major of the year.

This year's Aloha Section PGA Hall of Fame inductees will be announced in the fall.

Viloria's previous fight to be aired

Brian Viloria's IBF title fight victory over Ulises Solis will be broadcast by KFVE on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Viloria will defend his light flyweight crown Aug. 29 at the Blaisdell Arena against Jesus Iribe.